C Jaganathan

C Jaganathan, 40, is a farmer-turned-politician contesting from the Senthamangalam (Scheduled Tribe) constituency in Tamil Nadu on an All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnettra Kazhagam (AIPTMMK) ticket. With declared assets of Rs. 82.5 lakhs (including Rs. 67.5 lakhs in movable assets and Rs. 15 lakhs in immovable assets) and liabilities of Rs. 16.6 lakhs, Jaganathan represents the agriculture sector in a constituency that has historically alternated between DMK and AIADMK candidates. The AIPTMMK, founded by V.K. Sasikala in March 2026 after her split from AIADMK, is making its electoral debut in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. The party has formed an alliance with PMK-R led by S. Ramadoss and uses the 'coconut grove' as its election symbol. Jaganathan is one of the constituency-level candidates fielded by this newly formed party, which has positioned itself as an alternative to both the DMK and AIADMK. Senthamangalam constituency has a diverse electoral history, with K. Ponnusamy (DMK) winning in 2021, C. Chandrasekaran (AIADMK) in 2016, and R. Santhi (DMDK) in 2011. Jaganathan faces an uphill battle in a constituency where the AIPTMMK has no previous electoral track record. His campaign is supported by party leader Sasikala, who has been actively criticizing the DMK government for unmet promises, rising debt, and governance failures while pledging to fulfill 60 public welfare promises. Voters should note that Jaganathan has no criminal cases declared in his affidavit and maintains a low public profile with minimal independent media coverage. As a first-time candidate from a newly formed party, his electoral prospects depend heavily on the AIPTMMK's ability to capitalize on anti-incumbency sentiment and Sasikala's residual influence in Tamil Nadu politics.